I returned to the palace after spending several days with the ancient wolves, and as soon as I stepped through the gates, a sense of calm washed over me. I could tell Bustan had missed me. It was evident in the way his eyes lit up when he saw me, the way his arms enveloped me in a warm embrace, holding me like I had been gone for months. He didn’t say much at first, but his actions spoke volumes. His hands lingered on the small of my back, his face buried in the crook of my neck as if to reassure himself that I was truly there. It felt good to be missed, to be needed. I kinda feel he thought he had lost me because I could feel him breathe again.
“I’m glad you’re back,” he murmured into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “I was worried you weren't going to come back.”
“Oh, I would nev
